2 detained for allegedly demanding Rs 5,500 for blood at Silchar Medical College
Arrested
Guwahati: In a shocking incident, two people were detained at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) after they were allegedly caught demanding Rs 5,500 from the family of a patient in exchange for arranging blood from the hospital’s blood bank.
According to reports, the 35-year-old patient, a resident of Ramkrishnanagar village in Sribhumi district, has been undergoing treatment in the maternity ward of SMCH and has been in the ICU for the past three days. Her family had reportedly arranged blood for her treatment by requesting relatives to donate.
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The patient’s husband alleged that while the family was trying to arrange blood, a man approached them near the patient's bed and claimed that he could arrange blood from the hospital's blood bank. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 5,500 for providing the blood.
As the family was preparing to hand over the money, hospital authorities reportedly became suspicious and intervened. The two suspects were detained and later handed over to the Ghungoor Police Outpost for further action.
The accused, however, denied the allegations, claiming that they had not demanded money for blood and had only sought some money for tea and refreshments.
Speaking to the Sentinel, SMCH Superintendent Dr Bikash Sanyal said the hospital maintains a zero-tolerance policy against touts and illegal middlemen. He urged patients and their families to seek assistance only from hospital authorities. Police have registered the case and launched an investigation.
Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Jharkhand government is formulating a new strategy to streamline blood donation and management across the state. A high-level meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh, Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, deliberated on issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to appoint an agency to organise regular blood donation camps.
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